Rental car: all three areas in 2 days

Before anything else: can you drive in Japan?

You can drive here only with a Japanese licence, an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format, or a licence from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco or Taiwan with an authorised Japanese translation. A 1968 Vienna Convention permit is not valid in Japan, and originals are required at the counter.

Licence formats, how long you may drive, the documents to bring, insurance and child seats are all in the rental car guide.

Read the rental car guide

The shape of the route

Clockwise from Kofu, and roughly in reverse order of the series: the everyday places first — Minobu and the school — then Lake Motosu and episode 1 on the morning of Day 2, then Yamanashi City before you hand the car back at Kofu.

1. Day 1 · Shinjuku → Kofu (pick up the car)
2. Minobu Station front, Shonin-dori, Eishodo’s Minobu manju
3. Kai-Tokiwa Station and the school model site
4. Shimobe-Onsen: stay, or a day bath before driving on to Koan
5. Day 2 · Koan and Lake Motosu
6. Lake Motosu Observation Park
7. Orchard Cafe in Yamanashi City
8. Fuefukigawa Fruit Park and Hottarakashi Onsen
9. Return the car at Kofu → Shinjuku or Tokyo

Driving notes

• Japan drives on the left. Do not stay in the overtaking lane.
• Route 300 (the Motosu road) is a pass with blind hairpins one after another. Slow down before the corner, never cross the centre line, and use engine braking — B, or S/L — on the long descent instead of riding the foot brake.
• Route 300 can also be closed after heavy rain. Check Yamanashi Prefecture’s road information just before you set out.
• In winter carry winter tyres or chains and be ready for chain restrictions. If you cannot get winter tyres, do not attempt the drive in winter.
• Mountain roads have few street lights. Plan to be off the mountain before dark.
• Fill up early. Rural petrol stations keep short hours and some close on Sundays. Fill the tank before leaving Kofu.
• No alcohol at all before driving. A drink at the ryokan can still be in your system the next morning. Japan’s limits are strict.

Not yet confirmedOpening hours and closed days of petrol stations along the route (to be checked on site).

Parking

• Koan: the lodge car park is small; you cannot arrive early and wait.
• Shimobe Hotel: free parking for 100 cars.
• Hottarakashi Onsen: free parking for 280 cars.
• Fuefukigawa Fruit Park: main parking areas and outdoor toilets open 24 hours; check individual parking closures.
• Fruit Park Fujiya Hotel: free parking for 100 cars.
• Dormy Inn Kofu Marunouchi: 30 cars, ¥1,100 per night.
• Eishodo: use the shop’s designated car park.

Not yet confirmedHow easy each entrance is to find, what to do when full, the walk from the car, and visibility at night (to be checked on site).

On site

• You need a camping or day-camping booking to enter the Koan lakeside.
• Take all rubbish home. The nearest supermarket is about 25 km away; shop before you climb.
• The school model site is closed except during events. Look from outside.
• Do not photograph other campers or tents. Go through reception and keep quiet.
• No photography on level crossings, tracks or the road. Even for a shot that matches the anime, stand somewhere safe.

Clothing and connectivity

Lake Motosu sits high and is noticeably colder than Tokyo. Kawaguchiko, at 860 m and a comparable setting, averages −0.4°C in January, 9.5°C in April, 21.9°C in July, 22.5°C in August and 7.5°C in November. Even in summer, mornings and evenings are cool: bring a layer.

You will rely on your phone for maps, road information and finding petrol stations. Download offline maps before you go.

Not yet confirmedActual mobile coverage on Route 300, at the lakeside and at the school model site (to be measured on site).